Method of and apparatus for thermolytic destructive distillation of carbonaceous materials, including the recovery of certain products therefrom

ABSTRACT

A system for treating carbonaceous material, particularly garbage and refuse by destructive distillation to reduce the material to ash, in an expeditious manner, while recovering usable byproducts therefrom, such as gas, tars, oils, greases, acids, and fly ash, and destructively burning the odoriferous gases and other pollutants present in the garbage and refuse, and progressively and continuously moving the material through a plurality of heating chambers in the system, in batches, and utilizing the processing heat, which would normally be discharged to atmosphere from the stack, to dry and heat incoming refuse and garbage in heat exchange relation so as to consume a minimum of fuel for the maximum amount of refuse and garbage processed, and producing some or most of the fuel gas required in operating the system, or even more than the fuel requirement. Further, the spent flue gases are utilized to heat water in heat exchange relation to produce steam. Inasmuch as no odor is given off by the system, and due to the fact that only a small amount of land space is required for installation, the system can be installed in populated areas, close to the source of refuse and garbage.

United States Patent Inventors Elbert A. Rodgers 72 I 1 4520 SpencerDrive, Wichita Falls, 76308;

Thornton C. Huddle, D-406 Petroleum Center Bldg., San Antonio, 78209;Kent B. Knox, D-406 Petroleum Center Bldg., San Antonio, Tex. 78209 [21]App], No. 788,708 [22] Filed Jan. 3, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 12, 1971[54] METHOD OF. AND APPARATUS FOR THERMOLYTIC DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATIONOF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS, INCLUDING THE RECOVERY OF CERTAIN PRODUCTSTHEREFROM 16 Claims, 19 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl. 110/10, 1 10/ l 5 [51 Int. Cl F23g 5/00 [50] Field ofSearch..122/2: l10/7.8,l0,1-5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,171,535 9/1939 Berg etal1I'0/8X 2,479,818 8/1949 Decarie 110/15' Primary Examiner Kenneth W.Sprague Attorney-Wayland D. Keith 110/15 llO/lSX ABSTRACT: A system fortreating carbonaceous material, particularly garbage and refuse, bydestructive distillation to reduce the material to ash, in anexpeditious manner, while recovering usable byproducts therefrom, suchas gas, tars, oils, greases, acids, and fly ash, and destructivelyburning the odoriferous gases and other pollutants present in thegarbage and refuse, and progressively and continuously moving thematerial through a plurality of heating chambers in the system, inbatches, and utilizing the processing heat, which would normally bedischarged to atmosphere from the stack, to dry and heat incoming refuseand garbage in heat exchange relation so as to consume a minimum of fuelfor the maximum amount of refuse and garbage processed, and producingsome or most of the fuel gas required in operating the system, or evenmore? than the fuel requirement. Further, the spent flue gases areutilized to heat water in heat exchange relation to produce steam.Inasmuch as no odor is given off by the system, and due to the fact thatonly a small amount of land space is required for installation, thesystem can be installed in populated areas, close to the source ofrefuse and garbage.

PATENIEUJ'ANIZBTI Q 3554 1 sumzurs F FIG. 2

INVENTORS ELBERT A. RODGERS THDRNTON c- HUDDLE BY KENT a. KNOXIPATENIEUJANYZQII 13554143 SHEET SN 8' FI -2% i 26 28 THORNTON C. HUDDLEKENT B. KNOX INVENTORS BY 242 WAGENT PAT ENTER JAN 1 2197i sum 1 or aFIG. I8

ELBERT A. moesns I THORNTON C. HUDDLE KENT B. KNOX 274 1 mvsmonsPATENTEUJAN 1 2 |97l SHEET 8 [IF 8 s R F- G D o R A Tl-IQRNTON c. HUDDLEKENT a. KNOX INVENTORS -I I 6m AGENT METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORTHERMOLYTIC DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS,INCLUDING THE RECOVERY OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS THEREFROM This inventionrelates to improvements on US Pat. No. 3,362,887, to Elbert A. Rodgers,APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF REDUCING REFUSE, GARBAGE AND THE LIKE TOUSABLE CONSTITUENTS, issued Jan. 9, 1968.

This inventionrelates to a method of and apparatus for thermolyticdestructivedistillation of carbonaceous material, particularly to thedestruction of refuse, garbage and waste material as gathered by thesanitation departments of cities.

The present method of and apparatus for thermolytic, destructivedistillation of such refuse and garbage includes the reduction ofcombustible materials substantially to ash, with the noncombustiblematerials passing therethrough not affecting the efficiency of operationof the system.

The present" system has a primary aim, the reduction of refuse andgarbage to a minimum in bulk, without the release of pollutants into theair and the recovery of valuable products from the material beingprocessed, in theform of tars, acids, and other materials which can besubsequently refined, if desired, and normally'with sufficient gas tomake the system self sustaining, once itis'in'operation and in certaininstances,

create additional gassuita'bleffor domestic or factory use.

The present refuse and garbage" disposal system utilizes a completelyclosed system from the time the refuse, garbage, and the like {is dumpedinto a shredder-and storagebin until the residual'ash and solids areremoved, and the usable constituents recovered. 2'-

Various incinerators. and, garbage disposal systems have 'been proposedheretofore, but many of these are designed to perform onefunctiomhowever, sometimes in sodoing, other conditions were createdwhich are undesirable, such as wasting valuable" fuel, the waste ofbyproducts andreleasing undesirable pollutants into the air.

In the disposal of refuse, garbage and waste material some citiesutilize land fills wherein theputrescible material and other wastematerial is dumped in huge earthen ditches until almost full. Then alayer of soil, usually several feet thick, is used to cover theputrescible material and refuse. This system is usually considered lessexpensive, except for land cost, than some of the othersystems ofdisposing ,of garbage and refuse, however, this system leaves thesurface of the land unfit for normal commercial use as therealwaysexists the probability ofspontaneous combustion, emissionofnoxious, odoriferous gases, and water seepage, which is always apossible source of contamination 'of streams, lakes, and water-strata.

Incineration is another system widely used and. if amount of burnablematerialv in the refuse and garbage is sufficient to thoroughly burn thematerial without auxiliary fuel, the cost may be low, however, anincinerator plant usually produces pollution from two sources; first,the dust from putrescible the collection vehicles and the odor generatedfrom the decomcombustion in a closed system, which enables theutilization of the combustion heat to dehydrate the putrescible matter,green foliage and the like, as the material is processed therethrough,with the combustionthe socontrolled both exdischarged from the treatingchambers in the form of odoriferous gases are directed into the fireboxof the furnace so that the intense heat thereof nullifies the odors.

The present system is so designed that the odors and the flyingparticulate that would otherwise be airborne from the unloading of thetrucks is maintained in a closed facility to teriorly and interiorly ofthe chambers as to get maximum prevent contamination of the air. Furtherthe closed facility eliminates stench and disagreeable odors thatusually emanate from large stock piles of unprocessed offal or refuse.

The present arrangement enables the refuse to be handled by a crane orconveyor so the material can be processed and dehydrated in heatexchange relation so that the minimum amount of fuel is required toreduce to ash, the greatest amount of refuse in the shortest time, withrecovery of valuable constituents in the formof tars, acids, oils,greases and particles which normally are discharged into the air as flyash, with a considerable amount of the gas being produced being of agrade comparable to commercial manufactured gas.

The present arrangement enables a multiplicity of vessels to bepositioned one above another to be heated simultaneously from the samesource of heat, which-vessels are communicable and isolable, therebyenabling the material to be processed progressively in batchessubstantially continuously after the initial starting of the process,which system enables the loading of the vessels, charring, burning andunloading the ash from the lowermost vessel, with the units being keptat or near the maximum operating temperature, which enables theprocessing of a maximum quantity of refuse and garbage in a minimum'oftime with a minimum of fuel, with a unit which is of relatively smallcapacity for the amount of refuse and garbage which it will handle.

7 An object of this invention is to provide a destructive distillationsystem for garbage and refuse material, which is a closed system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a refuse and garbagedestructive distillation system which will substantially eliminate theodors from the gases resulting from putrescent material by burning thesegases.

A further object of the invention is to provide a destructivedistillation system for refuse and garbage which has provision for heatexchange relation between the incoming refuse and garbage with thatbeing processed to enable the processing of garbage in greater amountsin a minimum of time with a minimum amount of fuel,

Still a further object of the inventionis to provide a system forreducing organic material to ashfor use as a soil conditioner.

Yetanother object of the invention isto provide a system which producesa greater portion of gas than is used in the destructive distillation,which gas may be used as fuel in the system or, if produced in excess ofthe requirements of the system may be used for other purposes. 4

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a system forprocessing refuse and garbage wherein valuable constituents, such asacids, tars, oils, greases, fly ash, glass, metallic substances and thelike are recovered for use or further refining.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a closed destructivedistillation system, which does not give off obnoxious odors, whichsystem may therefore be operated in populated areas, thereby reducingthe travel time in collecting and hauling the garbage and refuse to thefacility for disposal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a destructivedistillation system which may be built .in suitable units, which may beused in conjunction with a primary unit to enable the output of materialprocessed to be increased without materially increasing the cost of theprocess.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a destructivedistillation system for refuse and garbage which utilizes a minimum ofground space on which to install the plant for processing refuse andgarbage in a substantially continuous batch process.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a destructivedistillation system involving a multiplicity of chambers, which chambersare communicable and isolable for continuous batch processing, with thegases which emanate therefrom being taken through heat exchangers andscrubbers to cleanse certain of the gases for use as fuel in theprocess, or if in excess of the amount required as fuel, to be put toother uses.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for combustion ofrefuse and garbage, the gases which emanate from such refuse andgarbage, in the raw state, are controlled and therefore odors from theprocess are eliminated.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide for capturing andcontrolling oderiferous gases and air pollutants in the effluent frommaterial being processed to avoid contamination of the atmosphere.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the reduction of rawgarbage by about 90percent by volume.

Another object of the invention is to provide for automatic control ofthe vapors and condensed liquids by thermostatic and pressure actuatedcontrols.

Still another object of the invention is to provide heat controltransfer of heat energy through the walls of the compartments to enablevolatile and organic materials to be driven off to the condensers andscrubbers without comingling combustion gases with the refuse andgarbage being processed.

With these objects in mind and others which will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in theseveral views thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of one form of the invention,showing portions as being broken away, and portions being shown insection to bring out the details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged elevational view, partly in section,of the garbage and refuse-receiving and heat-treating chamber, withparts being broken away, with parts shortened and with parts being shownin clashed outline, showing a conveyor associated therewith connected toa rotary proportional loader for the drying chamber, and showing aclosure gate below the rotary proportional loader;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows, and showing an alternate positionof the garbage and refuse-receiving chamber with an open position of theclosure doors in dashed outline;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view, with parts being broken away andwith parts being shown in section, of the rotary proportional loader, asshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows of the rotary proportional loader;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view, with parts being shown inelevation, and with parts broken away, of the uppermost garbage andrefuse-receiving compartment or drying chamber for initially drying therefuse and showing the condenser coils and scrubbers associatedtherewith;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the secondcompartment or carbonizing chamber, showing a condenser coil andscrubber tanks associated therewith, with portions being shown inelevation, and with portions being broken away;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. ,8, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view through the third compartmentor burning chamber, with parts being shown in elevation and with partsbroken away, and showing condenser and supply tanks associatedtherewith;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10, lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view, with parts brokenaway and with parts shortened, to illustrate a longitudinal andtransversely movable crane system. and showing a clamshell bucketsuspended therefrom;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 8 looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of FIG. 8, lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view of one of theagitators and gas dispensers used in the compartment shown in FIG. 8,with parts being shown in section and with parts broken away to bringout the details of construction;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 17, lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view through one of the gatesbetween the compartments;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the gate asshown in FIG. 17, showing the details of construction and the sealingarrangement; and

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view ofa modified form of the invention, whichutilizes a plurality of destructive distillation units, and showing asimplified condenser system for the vapors, the internal mechanism beingof the same construction as for the first form of the invention.

With more detailed reference to the drawing, the numeral l designatesgenerally an enclosed refuse and garbage-unloading compartment in whichvehicle 2 may be positioned therein and a closure door 4 closed so as tobe substantially in dusttight relation therewith, with the vehicle 2discharging the refuse and garbage into a shredder or hammer-mill-typedisintegrator 6 which is driven by a motor 8. The shredded refuse andgarbage may be directed into a pit or bin 10 which is accessible to anoverhead crane system, designated generally at 12, which system hastransversely movable beams 14, and a longitudinally movable carriage,designated generally at 16. on a trackway 18, as will best be seen inFIG. 12. The longitudinal movable carriage 16 has a tow cable attachedto one end construction, and of which passes around an idler sheave 22and onto a winch 24, with one reach of the cable being wound thereunderand the other reach of the cable is wound off the opposite side of the36. The winch 28 has a cable 29 wound thereon and controls the openingand closing of the clamshell buchet 36, as is well 24 and connected tothe opposite end of carriage 16, so upon rotation of winch 24 in onedirection, the carriage 16, having motor-driven winches 26 and 28mounted thereon, will be moved longitudinally along the trackway 18 onbeams 14, in one direction, and upon rotation of the winch 24 in theopposite direction, the carriage 16 will be moved in the oppositedirection, the purpose of which will be more fully brought outhereinafter.

The beams 14 are mounted on wheels 30 which roll on rails 32 onstructural member 34 in a manner well known in the art of cranes.

For simplification, the motor drives to winch 24 and wheels 30 have notbeen shown, as these are considered conventional construction well knownin the art of cranes, and winches. A winch 26 has a cable 27 woundthereon and controls the raising and lowering of the clamshell bucket36, as is well known in the art ofclamshell buckets.

The clam shell bucket 36 may be lowered into a pit or stock pile ofrefuse and garbage by remote control and raised, together with a load ofrefuse and garbage, and moved to a point above a loading bin, designatedgenerally at 38, which bin has doors 40 hingeable mounted thereon. Thedoors 40 are raised and lowered by winches 42 which are motor operated,which winches each have a cable 44 passing over a sheave 46 mounted onan upright standard 48, so as to move the door 40 from closed position,as indicated in full outline in FIGS. 2 and 3, to the upright, openposition as indicated in dashed outline in FIGS. 2 and 3, by closing anelectrical circuit remote therefrom. With the doors 40 open, as shown indashed outline in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refuse and garbage may be dumpedinto the loading bin 38 and with the motor 50 running, the material willbe agitated, and the heat and products of combustion being generated infurnace chamber 52 will pass upward around a burner tank or chamber 54and through flues 56 and thence upward around carbonization chamber ortank 58 and through flues .60, thence upward around drying chamber ortank 62 and out into an open space 66 above drying chamber 62, and belowinsulation jacket 67. 5 A portion of the 'heat and products ofcombustion is directed into vent stack 68 which leads to a hollow shaft70, of an'agitator 71 in loading bin 38. Arms 72 on hollow shaft 70 aretubular and are closed at the distal ends thereof with the ends adjacentthe hollow shaft 70' being connected in fluid communication therewith.The arms 72 are perforated as indicated at 74, and as will best be seenin FIG. 2, so as the heated gases pass out of open space 66 into a ventstack 66, through arotary fluidseal 76 into hollow shaft 70, the hotgases will be discharged out through perforations 74 into the refuse andgarbage being agitated. by agitator arms 72 within loading bin 38. Therotation of the shaft 70 will continue until the refuse and garbagetherein has been heated to the desired temperature, below the boilingpoint, which will dry the refuse Y and garbage with the odoriferousgases therefrom passing out gases therefrom into suction fan 84, whichis motor driven,

and directs these gases into discharge pipe 86, which pipe discharg$ theodoriferous gases into the furnace chamber 52, the heat of which furnaceis such as to nullify the odor of these gases. v

When the refuse and garbage within loading bin 38 has been agitated byan agitator 71 in a heated condition a sufficient lengthof time atproper temperature to drive off the desired amount of moisture and raisethe temperature is thermostatically controlled by a heat-sensingthermocouple 88 sensing the temperature'in loading bin 38, whichthermocouple is connected to thermostatically actuated valve'89. Theconveyor motor 90 is started which will rotate'the screw conveyor 92 todirect the heated refuse and garbage from'the loading bin 38 throughconveyor tube 94 and with-the stop gate 96 thereof closed, the refuseand garbage will be directed through an opening 98 inthe lower side ofconveyor tube 94 into a tubular member 100 which connects the conveyortube 94 with a cover 102 of a rotary proportional loader, designatedgenerally by the numeral 104.

in the present instance, the rotary proportional loader is shown to havefourreceiving chambers 1 06,whichi chambers 5 are surrounded by acylindrical member 108, which member is internally bracedby radial walls110, whichwalls connect with a hub 112 to which the shaft 114 issecured. The area 116 between each receiving chamber 106 and thecylindrical member 108 is covered with plates to preven't refuse passingdown between the outside of the receiving chambers 106 and the inside ofthe cylindrical member 108 The lower end of cylindrical member 108 isclosed by a stationary plate 118 which is mounted on and supported bystructural members 120. The cylindrical member 108 is secured to and isrotatable with shaft 114. The cover 102 and the lower plate 118 arestationary. I

When the conveyor 92'has discharged sufficient material to fill one ofthe receiving chambers 106 into which the material is being discharged,the motor'122, is energized which wilBO rotate the cylindrical member108 in the direction indicated .by the arrow in FIG. -5. -When thereceiving chamber 106,

which has been filled with refuse and garbage, is rotated to a positionabovethe'cylindrical inlet neck 124, the neck 100 will connectthe'loaded receiving chamber 106 in communication with an opening 125 inthe upper end ofdrying tank 62. Upon opening a gate, designatedgenerally by the numeral 126, the refuse and garbage is discharged outof the loaded receiving chamber 106 thereabove. Should the refuse andgarbage be tightly packed within receiving chamber 106, a ram 128 influid cylinder 129 is actuated by a suitable source of fluid pressure(not shown) and the ram may be moved from the position as shown in fulloutline in FIG. 2, to that shown in dashed outline therein, whichwillinsure the material being discharged below gate 126. i

seen in FIG. 2. With the dryingchamber or tank 62 being closed at theupper end by gate 126 and at the lower end by closure doors 132 so as'to produce a fluidtight seal at both the gate and the closure doors andwith the heat from furnace 52 being directed upward therearound, therefuse and garbage within the drying chamber or tank 62 is heated to asuitable temperature to dry the material in the most expeditious manner.

With the valve 135 open and valves 135A and 178 closed, the gascondensate from condenser coil 136 will be directed into scrubber 137which has a float valve control arrangement 137A thereon to dischargethe condensate therefrom into a pipe 1378 which leads to storage, withthe gas passing out through pipe 137C into a condenser 137D, the liquidlevel of which is also controlled by a float controlled valve 137E whichdischarges the condensate therefrom into pipe 1371- to storage. Thescrubbed gas is directed out through pipe 1376 to manifold pump 196, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 10, which gas is then directed to storage, asdesired. The odoriferous vapors therefrom will pass out through vaporoutlet pipe 134, into heat exchange condenser coils 136 which are cooledby water being sprayed from pipe 138 onto coils 136, which water beingsprayedfrom pipe 138 is received within drip pan 140 at an elevatedtemperature. The water may be directed outward from pipe 142 to enablethe water which has become heated by the hot gases in the condenser coil136 to be used, as desired. The water from drip pan 140 may be directedinto a conduit 144. into a closed heat exchange cooling tank 146 to coolgases passing through coil 148, which in turn, will super heat the waterso water at an elevated temperature. or steam. may be taken from pipe150 for such use as might be desired.

While the refuse and garbage is being heated in drying chamber or tank62, additional heat may be supplied by gas burners 152 positioned withinthe lower end of flues 64, which burners will accelerate the drying ofrefuse and garbage in tank 62 and, at the same time, present additionalheat for passing up through vent stack 68 and with thermovalve 89 open,the heated products of combustion will be discharged into the hollowshaft 70, in the manner hereinbefore set out,

however, any excess'products of combustion and stack effluent, which istoo great for the vent stack 68 to handle, will be diverted into stack154 leading from open space 66 and into heat exchange coils'l48 so thatthe heated products of combustion will be cooled to a substantiallynormal temperature before passing to atmosphere. Should it be necessaryor desirable to release a portion or all of the products of combustionfrom stack 154, valve 156 may be opened and valve 158 may be closed, orthese may be throttled to pass the amount of stack effluent to producecomplete combustion of the fuel and the complete destructivedistillation of the refuse and garbage in a manner which will be morefully brought out hereinafter.

Simultaneously, with the treatment of refuse and garbage in dryingchamber 62, additional garbage has been directed into the loading bin 38in the manner afore set out, so as to have the temperature of thematerial raised sufficiently to dehydrate the refuse and garbage to theproper extent. The refuse and garbage is then directed onto the conveyor92, which refuse and garbage is discharged through opening 98 withinneck 100 into the receiving chamber 106 below the conveyor 92, and whenthe temperature in drying chamber 62 has been raised to the correcttemperature for processing the refuse and garbage therein, the doors 132are opened by turning the arcuately movable shafts 158 and lever 160,which in turn, will move gears 162 in mesh with arcuate racks 164, whichracks are secured to doors 132, which will move the doors 132 from theposition, as shown in full outline in FIG. 8, to that shown in dashedoutline therein. However, due to the heating of refuse and garbage indrying chamber 62, it is possible that the refuse and garbage may becomeclogged therein, whereupon the ram 128 is moved from the position asshown in full outline in FIG. 2 to the extreme lowennost positionthereof, as shown in dotted outline in FIG. 1, which will move the driedrefuse and garbage into carbonizing chamber or tank 58. Whereupon, thepivoted doors 132 between chambers 62 and 58 are closed in substantiallyvaportight relation against the bottom of angulated neck 166, as willbest be seen in FIG. 8, with refuse and garbage in the carbonizingchamber or tank 58 and with a gate, generally designated by the numeral168, closed and with pivoted doors 132 closed, the refuse and garbagetherein is heated at a temperature of 900 to 1.200", with the heat thatpasses thereby and through the flues 60 upward through and around dryingtank 62, however, as the material is now being heated in the closedchamber 58, gases will emanate from this material and will be dischargedout through pipe 170 and through condenser coil 172, if valve 174 isopen and valves 176 and 178 are closed.

The condensate from heat exchange coil 172, which is being cooled bywater sprayed from pipe 180, will be directed into a receiver tank 182,the fluid level of which is controlled by a float valve arrangement 184,with the bath of liquid therein being held at a sufficient level toperform a scrubbing action on the gas, which scrubbed gas will pass outof pipe 186 into a condenser tank 188, whereby the gas flowing thereintois condensed and is further scrubbed, with the liquid in condenser tank188 being maintained at a suitable level by float valve arrangement 190to direct the condensate out through pipe 192 to a suitable storagefacility. The scrubbed gas will then be directed out of the top ofcondenser tank 188 into pipe 194, thence into the manifold of a suctionpump or compressor 196, FIG. 10.

Upon the cooling water or the like passing out of spray pipe 180 andover coils 172, the water is caught in a water-receiving or drip pan173, which pan is supported on structural beams 173A with a pipe 1738leading from the water-receiving pan 173, which water, together withwater from pipe 142 may be directed into closed condenser tank 146through pipe 144, if desired, so as to enable a high recovery of heatenergy generated within furnace 52.

The pump 196 is so connected to a manifold that the gas therefrom mayeither be directed through pipe 197 into a scrubber 198, or through pipe199, into a gas storage tank 200. Pipe 202 leads from the gas storagetank 200 to a fuel supply line 204 which leads to burners 206 within thefurnace 52, however, a pipe 208 may lead from the manifold pump 196,with valve 210 closed and valve 212 open, to burn the gas produced inthe system by burners 206 before the final scrubbing. Various valvingand pipe arrangements for switching the gas to various pipes are shownto enable the use of the manufactured gas in various stagesofpurification.

For initial heating of the system gas or other fuel, from an outsidesource is used by directing the fuel through pipes 205 to burners 207,which may serve as a standby fuel system after the system is generatingall or part of the fuel requirements for the system.

While the heat is being applied to drying chamber or tank 62 and tocarbonizing tank 58 or to burning chamber or tank 54, air, underpressure, may be directed from air compressor 214, driven by motor 216,into air pipes 218, 220, 222 and 224 in the required amount. The airpipe 218 leads into burning tank to produce a complete combustion o ofrefuse and garbage therein, as will be more fully described hereinafter,The pipes 222 lead through rotary fluid seal 224 into arcuately movabletubular members 226 which passes through stuffing boxes 228 into theinterior of carbonizing chamber or tank 58, with the air passing upwardthrough each of the respective arcuately movable tubular members whichare journaled in the respective stuffing boxes 228 and bearings 230secured to the sides of the respective flues 60 therein. Each of thetubular members 226 is held against downward movement by an abutment,such as a set collar 232. The upper end of each tubular member 226 isclosed. A plurality of outwardly extending arms 234 are secured totubular member 226 and which arms are in fluid communication therewith.The outer ends of the arms 234 are closed and the arms are perforated,as indicated at 236, to emit air outward therefrom. A lever 238 issecured to each of the tubes, which lever extends outwardly and isconnected to a linkage 240, which in turn, is pivotally connected to anoperator lever 242. The lever 242 is pivotally connected to an aperturedlug 244. The linkage 240 passes through a stuffing box 246 which retainsthe vapors within the carbonizing tank 58, yet permits arcuatemovementof tubular member 226 to move the arms 234 through approximatelyas will best be seen in full outline and in dashed outline in FIG. 9,which arms are so positioned as to dislodge any material which may beadhering to the walls of the carbonizing tank 68 and to direct air intothe area in which the arms are urcuately movable.

In addition to the arms dislodging carbonized refuse and garbage fromthe walls and the flues of the carbonizing tank 58, the air dischargedunder pressure serves to cool the arms and the shaft and to furnishdiluent for the gas from the garbage and to provide oxygen therein tomake the gas more combustible. Simultaneously, air may be admitted intocarbonizing tank 58 through air pipe 222.

When the refuse and garbage has been processed the desired length oftime and at the desired temperature in tank 58 and with the burning tank54 empty, and the gate, designated generally at 248, is closed, and thegate, designated generally by the numeral 250, is opened, which willpermit the carbonized refuse and garbage in tank 58 to be dischargedinto burning tank 54, whereupon, gate 250 is closed, so as to present agastight tank for the final destructive thermolytic distillation of therefuse and garbage, and the reduction thereof to ash and solids, afterthe recovery of gas therefrom. With the heat being directed from burners206 and/or 207 into furnace 52, the temperature within burning tank orchamber 54 is elevated to a temperature of from 900 to 1,200", and whichtemperature is sensed by thermocouple sensor 252, the refuse and garbageis maintained at this temperature, and with the valve 256 closed, withthe gas from the chamber 54 being driven out through pipe 254 intoscrubber 198.

The condensate level of which scrubber is controlled by a float valvearrangement 260 to scrub the gas passing therethrough, which gas isdrawn off through pipe 197 into the manifold pump 196 in the mannerhereinbefore set out for use in firing the furnace 52. The condensatemay be directed out either through pipe 262 by manual manipulation ofvalve 264 or automatically directed through pipe 266, by the float valvearrangement 260, to a place of storage, by the pressure, within thescrubber 198. The carbonizing tank 58 is preferably ofless capacity thanthe drying tank 62, as the material being processed becomes less involume. Furthermore, the burning tank 54 is of less capacity than thecarbonizing tank 58, so

that, once the cycle of batching has been started, upon emptying burningtank 54 by opening gate 248, the ash and residual solids of h the refuseand garbage is directed onto conveyor 268 to discharge out throughdischarge opening 270. The conveyor 268, in the present instance, is ascrew-type conveyor which is driven by a gear reduction motor 272. Thegates 248 and 250 are opened and closed by fluid actuated cylinders 249and 251 respectively, in a manner well known in the art of fluidactuated cylinders.

A plurality of structural members, such as lyl-beams 3, are arranged inparallel, vertical relation, which have outstanding support brackets 3Asecured thereto at spaced intervals therealong. The burning tank 54 hascomplementary arranged support brackets 38 secured thereto to engagesupport brackets 3A to support the tank 54 in suspended thereon a spaceddistance upward from the lower end thereof, which suspension allowsmovement, due to expansion and contraction. A second tank 58, which is acarbonization tank, has complementary arranged brackets 38 securedthereto, which tank is mounted axially above the tank .54 and isconnected in fluid communicationtherewith by a neck 59. The brackets 3Bof the tank 58 engage brackets 3A secured to H-beams 3 to suspend thetank in like manner. The third tank 62, which is a drying tank, hascomplementary. arranged brackets 3B secured thereto, which tank ispositioned z axially above the tank 58 and is suspended in a mannersimilar to tank 54, by brackets 38 engaging brackets 3A, secured toH-beams 3. A neck 166 interconnects the tank 58 and the tank 62 in fluidcommunication for the passage of refuse and garbage therethrough.

The rotary proportional loader 104 is mounted above the drying tank 62and is connected in fluid communication therewith by a neck 125, whichrotary proportional loader is supported on structural beams 316. Theloading bin 38 and conveyor tube 94 are supported on structural beams318, and the cooling tank 146 is supported on beams 320.

While beams have not been shown as supporting scrubber tanks 137, 182and 198, condenser tanks 137D, 188, and storage tank 200, it is to beunderstood that the scrubber tanks, the condenser tanks and the'storagetank are supported on beams or other suitable support means applicableto the inlation material thereover to form a vaportight jacket. Ventstacks 68 and 154 lead out from the open space 66 between the upper endof drying tank 62 and the lower face of cover 67A. It is preferable tohave the insulation jacket 67 covered on the interior and exterior bycylindrical retaining covers 67B of metal which is heat resistant,such'as stainless steel, or the likeIBy using I-I-bearnsto supportthetanks 54, 58 and 62 in suspended,axially aligned relation, this formspassages 67C between the outside diameter of the respective tanks andthe inside diameter of the insulation jacket 67 for the passage of theproducts of combustion upwardfrom furnace 52.

Draft control dampers 61 are positioned intermediate the jacket 67 andthe neck 166 to surround the neck in substantially draft retardingrelation, when in one position, and which dampers may be moved tothedesired position, by regulating means, such'as chains 61A attachedthereto, to another position, as the dampers may=be moved'from theposition as indicated in full outline in FIGS;-6.and 7 to substantiallythe dashed outline position, as shown in FIG. 6;

It is preferable to have thermocouples,;indicated generally at 322,spaced throughout the length of the insulation jacket and extendingtherethrough which enclose the tanks 54,- 58 and 62 with certain of thethermocouples sensing the heat of the products of combustion passingupward through spaces 67C. Other thermocouples extend to just within therespective tanks, and still other of the thermocouples extend deeplyinto the tanks, so the conditions of the heating of the refuse andgarbage, as well as of the flue gasses, can'be determined at all times.

It is to be pointed out that, by raising the temperature of the refuseand garbage to 900 to l,200,the combustible material will be reduced toash and vapors, which vapors are condensed and the condensate trapped.The solids which are not bumable, are discharged with the ash onto theconveyor 268, and by reburning the odoriferous gases in-the furnace, atthese temperatures, the odor in nullified or substantially so, so thatthe stack effluent may be discharged out through vent stacks 68 and 154.

By maintaining the heat within the range as set out above andnotpermitting the heat to be raised to a point that will melt metals andgenerate noxious gases,will minimize pollutant gases and particulatedischarged to the atmosphere.

A detail of a gate 126, 168 or 248 is shown in FIGS. 16 through 18,wherein the. rectangular lower body portion 274 and the upper bodyportion 276: are joined together, as by welding, as indicated at 278. Arecess 280 is formed between body portions 274 and 276 to receive aslide gate 282, which is rectangular in form and has two rollers 284journaled on each side thereof on axles 286. The axles 286 are securedto the rectangular gate 282. Tracks 288 and 290 are positioned onopposed, longitudinal sides of the-recess 280 and are secured to thelower rectangular body portion 274 and each of the tracks 280 and 290have wedge-shaped ends 292 and 294 remote from cylinder 130. The tracks288 and 290 are spaced apart longitudinally so when the rollers 288 arein one position, they will be resting on the upper face of the lowerbody portion 274, with the lower face of the slide gate 282 being incontact sealing relation with the upper face of gasket 296.

Clamping means, which is cams 283, which cams are pivotally mounted onthe upper body portion 276 and each cam extends through the respectiveopenings 277 in the upper face of body portion 276, and engages theupper face of gate 282 in approximately diametrically opposed relation.When the levers 283A are in the position as shown in full outline inFIGS. 17 and 18, the cams 283 are engaged, and are in a dis engagedposition when the levers are in the position as shown in dashed outlinetherein. A control rod 2838 is pivotally connected to lever 283A andextends outward through asbestos insulation jacket 67 and has acontrol-actuator handle 283C thereon, to enable the cams 283 to engagethe slide gate 282 to loosen loosen and tighten the gate from a positionoutside the heat area. While only two cams have been shown, additionalcams may be installed to engage at more than two places, if desired.While the cams are shown to be metal-tometal engagement, a spring may bearranged between each pivot point and the respective cam so as topresent a yielding feature, if it is desired to spring load the cams.

Upon movement of the gate 282'toward cylinder 130, after cams 283 havebeen loosened, rollers 292 and 294 roll upward on the respectivewedge-shaped ends 292 and 294 of tracks 288 and 290 to lift the slidegate 282 upwardly out of engagement with annular sealing gasket296, .toprevent damage to the gasket.

The slide gate v282 may be moved from the position as shown in FIG. 16to that shown in dashed outline therein to close the gate. The plunger298 of hydraulic cylinder is connected to a rod 300 by a threadedcoupling 302, which is preferably of the rightandv left-hand-typeconnection. The rod 300 passes through a stuffing box 304 and has anenlarged head 306 interengaging a T-slot arrangement 308, in such mannerthat, as the slide gate 282 is moved to different elevations, the head306 will slide vertically within the T-slot so the rod 300 may moveaxially through stuffing box 304.

The. fluid actuated cylinder 130 is secured to a longitudinally dividedadapter 310, which adapter is bolted to the cylinder 130 by bolts 312,and whichladapter is bolted to the end of the body portions 274 and 276by bolts 314.

By removing the bolts 312 and 314 from the adapter, the adapter may beremoved laterally to give access to the coupling 302 to enable thepacking of the stuffing box 304 or to make possible the servicing of thehydraulically actuated cylinder 130. While the above description hasbeen specific to the gate, designated generally at 126, itis to beunderstood that this applies equally to gates l68and 248, which areidentical in construction to gate 126.

' MODIFIED FORM OF THE INVENTION The device, as shown in FIG. 19, is amodified form of the invention, in as much as it uses a plurality ofthermolytic destructive distillation units, which are so arranged as toenable a single source of refuse and garbage collection equipment to beutilized to supply a plurality of thermolytic destructive distillationunits, which units are structurally the same as the aforementioned unitand may be connected with a multiplicity of scrubbers, condenser tanksand gas storage tanks, in the same manner as the aforementioned form ofthe invention. The units, if desired, may be connected to a simplifiedscrubber and condenser tank and gas storage tank without separating thedistillates in accordance with the stages from where they are removedfrom the refuse and garbage thermolytic destructive distillation units.

The same numbers, in so far as applicable, will apply to the presentform of the invention as were used in the aforementioned fonn of theinvention, and the description of the specific details will be used onlyas required in describing the present form of the invention.

After the refuse and garbage is dumped by truck 2 into the pit 10, theclamshell bucket 36 of the crane system 12 will direct the refuse andgarbage into loading bin 38, whereupon it is directed onto screwconveyor 92. With conveyor gate 96 closed, the garbage and refuse, whichhas been agitated and heat treated in bin loader 38, is directed throughopening 98 of the conveyor housing into one of the receiving chambers106 of the rotary proportional loader 104, to be directed into thethermolytic destructive distillation unit, designated generally at A, inthe same manner as the aforementioned form of the invention. When thedrying tank 62, which is the uppermost tank, has been filled with heatedgarbage and refuse the gate 96 in conveyor 92 is opened, and with thereceiving chamber below opening 98 becoming filled, the refuse andgarbage will be moved by conveyor 92 within conveyor tube 94 anddischarged into the rotary proportional loader 104 of thermolyticdestructive distillation unit, designated generally at B. While thegarbage is being dried within drying chamber 62 of unit A, the dryingchamber 62 in unit B may be filled with refuse and garbage which hasbeen agitated and heated in the bin loader 38. While only twothermolytic destructive distillation units have been shown in FIG. 19,the conveyor tube 94 and conveyor 92 may extend to additional units soas to accommodate a capacity volume of the unloading and heat-processingfacilities, as shown at 10, 36 and 38, respectively.

The refuse and garbage processes through the thermolytic destructivedistillation units A and B progressively in the same manner as theaforementioned form of the invention and in the same processing steps asthe aforementioned form of the invention. However, in the form of theinvention as shown in FIG. 19, the valving and the vapor discharge lineis such that the vapors being emitted from all three chambers 62, 58 and54 may be directed through a single condenser coil 400 and with valve401 closed and valve 402 open, the vapor and condensate is directed intoscrubber tank 404, with the condensate remaining in the tank to bedischarged by a float valve arrangement 406, under controlled pressure.The vapor of the scrubbed gas passes out through pipe 410 into condensertank 412 and with the gas condensed, the vapor will pass out of the topthereof into gas line 414 to gas storage tank 416. A gasline 418 leadsfrom gas storage tank 416 to gas burners 420. When the complete cycle ofthermolytic destructive distillation in unit A has been completed by therefuse and garbage progressing through tanks 62, 58 and 54 and treatedin the manner afore set out, the ash and solids are directed fromburning tank 54 into conveyor 268, which ash and solids may be salvagedor otherwise disposed of in accordance with their value.

The thermolytic destructive distillation units A and B may be so timedthat as unit A is discharging ash and solids, unit B may be processingrefuse and garbage, and vice versa. In this manner, a maximum efficiencyfor using the personnel may be had.

If it is desired to bypass the condenser coils 400, valve 422 may beclosed and valves 424 may be opened, which arrangement will direct thegas or vapor directly in through pipe 426 into scribber 404 with the gasbeing scribbed therein, with the residual liquid or condensate passingout through float valve arrangement 406 and the gas passing out throughpipe 410 into condenser tank 412 to further scrub and condense the gaswith the scrubbed gas passing out through pipe 414 into storage tank 416for use and with the condensate in condenser 412 being directed outthrough float valve arrangement 428 under pressure.

Various valves are provided into the air lines leading into the variouschambers 54, 58 and 62 to provide proper oxygen for mixing with the gasand also provide proper oxygen in the burning tank 54 to reduce thecombustible material in the tank to ash in the quickest possible time bycontrolled combustion.

Various valves are provided in the gaslines intermediate the varioustanks 54, 58 and 62, the scrubbers, the storage tank, and the burners toproperly control the vapors for condensation and for burning in thefurnace 52.

The various fluid lines to the cylinders to actuate the slide gates arewell known in the art and have not been shown, nor have the controls forthe various electric motors. as these are well known in the art ofelectric motors, and the disclosure is not being burdened by thesecontrols.

It is to be pointed out that the present system is so designed as to bea closed system with a controlled combustion for destruction to ash ofcombustible materials fed into the system and utilizing heat transfersthrough the walls of the compartments and flues and directing stackeffluent gases through the material to obtain a maximum of heat exchangewith a pollutant release to atmosphere reduced to a minimum withoutcreating nitrous oxides or other noxious elements to be discharged intothe atmosphere. The system used in both cooling an adsorptive bathsystems for cleansing vapors and the burning of the noxious vapors insuch manner that the odoriferous gases are substantially nullified. Itis also to be further pointed out that the unloading area is maintainedat a slight negative pressure by suction fan 84 to prevent the escape ofodors and flying particulates with the air. The particulate-laden air isdirected through the centrifuge to cleanse the air of the particulate.The odor withdrawn by the fan is directed through exhaust pipe 86 intothe furnace 52 to nullify the odors by the elevated temperaturestherein.

We claim:

1. A method of reduction of combustible refuse and garbage to ash bythermolytic destructive distillation in a closed system, comprising thesteps of:

a. supplying a source of refuse and garbage;

b. providing a load-receiving bin;

c. directing the garbage into the load-receiving bin;

d. supplying a source of heat;

e. agitating the refuse and garbage in the load-receiving bin while heatis being applied thereto; providing a plurality of refuse andgarbage-receiving chambers, one above the other, which chambers areselectively isolable or communicable; one of the plurality of refuse andgarbage-receiving chambers being a drying chamber;

1. supplying heated refuse and garbage to the drying chamber; 2. closingthe drying chamber to retain the refuse and garbage therein; 3.providing a vapor outlet for directing vapor outward from the dryingchamber; forming an insulation jacket to surround and cover the chambersand being a spaced distance outward therefrom for passage of heatupwardly between the chambers and the insulation jacket; 1. supplying avent stack to connect with the passage between the insulation jacket andone of the chambers: further heating the refuse and garbage in thedrying chamber by conduction from the source of heat passing upwardlythereby; directing the garbage and refuse from the drying chamber into acarbonization chamber; 1. closing the carbonization chamber to retainthe refuse and garbage therein; 2. providing a vapor outlet fordirecting vapor outward from the carbonization chamber; supplying heatto the carbonization chamber to carbonize the refuse and garbagetherein; directing the carbonized refuse and garbage into a burningchamber; 1. closing the burning chamber to retain the refuse and garbagetherein; 2. providing a vapor outlet for directing vapor outward fromthe burning chamber; and

3. discharging ash ofthe combbstjblerefuse and garbage from the burningchamber. 2. Amethod of reduction of combustible refuse and garbage toash by thermolytic destructive distillation in a' closed" chamber tosupply the. additional heat=to the, drying chamber.

4. A method of reduction of combustible refuseand garbage to ash bythermolytic destructive distillationin a closed system as defined inclaim 1;.and including the'vaporfrom the chambers is directedto a burnerin the furnacelto provide fuel for combustion to supply the source ofheat.

5. A method of reductioli of combustible refuse and garbage to ash bythermolytic destructive distillationin a closed system as defined inclaim 4; and including directing. the products of combustion upward inconduction relation around the burning chamber, the carbonizationchamber and drying chamber.

6. A method of reduction of combustible refuse and garbage to ash bythermolytic destructive distillation in a closed system as defined inclaim 1; and. including the additional step of introducing air underpressureinto the burning chamber of a closed system to supply oxygen ina metered amount to maintain controlled combustion at .a predeterminedheat fora predetermined length of time.

7. Axrnethod of reduction of combustible refuse and garbage. to ashbythermolytic destructive distillation in a, closed.

system, as defined in claim 1; and includingthe additional steps of: r Ip a. providing a condenser which connects withthe vapor out-.

let of atleast one of the chambers; 1

b. providinga scrubber for directingodoriferous vapor and condensatethereinto;

c. providingafurther condenser;

d.. directing thevapor;from-thescrubber into-the further condenser;

1.; condensing a-portion of theivapo'rs directed into the.

further condenser; and

2. directing vapor. therefrom into odoriferous vapor.

8. A method of reduction of combustible: refuse and garbage to ash; by.thermolytic destructive .distillatiom inv a closed system. as defined inclaim 7; and includingtthe additional stepsofzi' w i a. providing a heatexchange tank;

l. supplying the heatexchange tank with a piping system;-

pass around the piping system in heat exchange relation; b. connectingthe vent stack in fluid communication with dense thevapor passingtherethrough; and c. directing heated water from the condenser tank.

9. An apparatus forreduction of combustible refuse .and ;60

garbage to ash by thermolytic. destructive distillation I in a closedsystem which apparatus comprises:

a. a support'for, upright structural members;

b. uprightstructural members mountedon said support; a

a furnace for burning and to, hullifyat least some. of the odors ofzthe.

c. a plurality oftanks mounted on said structural. membersandarranged'atdifferent elevations, one above another;

L said tanks being in fluid communicationfor passingsolids downwardtherethrou'gh; 2., closure meansintermediate adjacent tanks forselectively isolating material in each tank;

d. anjnsulation jacket surrounding and-covering the tanks and. being aspaced distance outwardtherefrom to form a passage between said tanksand the-insulation jacket;

1. a vent stack near the, upper end ofsaid insulation jacketand beinginopen communication with-the passage;

7 between the insulation jacket and one of said tanks;

e. a loading bin supportednear the upperendofthe'uppermost tank; 1. saidloading bin having an agitatormounted therein;

2. said power means connected'indrivingrelation with said agitator;

f. a loader being in* communication" with the uppermost tank;

I. a power-driven conveyor extending between said load} ing bin andsaidloader. for supplying refuse and garbage thereto; V

g. a furnacewithin said insulation jacket below the lowermost tank andfor supplying heat to pass upward through said passage between saidtanks and said insulation jacket for simultaneouslyheating said tanks;

h. a gas outlet pipe leading from each" said tank near the upper endthereof}:

i. a condenser associated with at least oneof said gas outlet j. ascrubber tankinfluid denser; valve means associated with said scrubbertank for directing condensate outward. from said tank; and

k; a further gas outlet pipeleading from the upper portion of saidscrubber tank to direct odoriferous gases from-said scrubber tank tosaid'burner in said furnace to supplyfuel-I for combustion anditodestroyodors: of theodoriferou gasses.

10. An apparatus for:reduction'of combustible refuse and conununicationwithsaidcon garbage to ash by thermolyticrde'structivedistillation inaclosed system, as defined'in claim-9.; wherein p a. the uppermost ofsaid tanks: has flues passing.

garbage ato ash .by thermolytic IS destructive "distillation in a closedsystem, as defined inclaim 9; wherein a. a tank is mounted on said.uprightstructuralmembers and is supported thereby below -said uppermosttank and: forming a carbonizationtank; j g

b. hollow shafts are joumaled within said carbonization tank" forarcuate movement;

l perforate :arms secured to each 'said hollow shaft and-' being influid communicationtherewithz' 2. a stuffing box surroundingeach'rsaid!hollow 'shaft'and forming a sealtherefor near: the lowerend-ofsaid1a'nk; with said hollowshaft to extend outward t'herebelow; 1

3. operator means" associated "withi each said .sha'ft for moving saidshaft arcuately';

c. a rotary fluid seal-on the lowerend ofsaid shaftf'and d.:an airconduitconnected with Saidrotary sealofeachsaid hollow shaft fordirecting air under: pressuretherethrough and into said carbonizingtanks l2...An apparatus for reduction of combustible refusefiand fgarbage to ash by thermolytic destructive :distillation in 'na closed:system; as. defined in 'claim9;*wherein.isaidelowermost tank is aburning tank;

l.:means for directing airunder-pressurein'to said buming'zar tank,.whenclosed,.in.a metered-amountto prodlice con trolled combustion of refuseand garbage. toreduce -said refuse and-garbage-to ash and ivaporinaclosed syste'm and 2..cl0sure means operable to dischargeash from'saidburn ing tank. 1 i 13. An. apparatus for reduction of combustiblerefuse an'd garbage to .ash by thermolytic destructive adis'tillationin' a closed system defined in -:claim""9; wherein"said loaderg which isz in communication with :said uppermost a tankieis a f motor-driven,rotary loader;

1. said loader having a plurality of receptacles to sequentially receiverefuse and garbage discharged from said conveyor from said loading bin;

2. said motor-driven rotary loader being adapted to rotate closedsystem; 2. closure means operable to discharge ash from said burningtank; and f. said refuse and garbage adapted to be heat processed inthrough an arc to sequentially move one of the recepta- 5 each of saidtanks simultaneously by the heat from said cles thereof from a loadingposition to the discharge posiflImaCe and Said flues and p e to be progessi ely tion; and directed through the next lower closure uponintroduc- 3. mechanically actuated discharge means to move said lion ofadditional refuse and garbage into Said drying refuse and garbage fromthe receptacle of said loader into tank- IO 15. An apparatus forreduction of combustible refuse and the uppermost of said tanks. 43

garage to ash by thennolytic destructive distillation in a closedsystem, as defined in claim 9; wherein:

a. at least some of said closure members in said tanks are sliding gatescomprising;

14. An apparatus for reduction of combustible refuse and garbage to ashby a therrnolytic destructive distillation in a closed system, asdefined in claim 9; wherein:

a. said tanks supported on said structural members comth l5 1. a hollowgate body having a transverse opening formed prise ree tanks, l. theuppermost of said tanks being a drying tank having therethrpugh wh'chopempg gdapteqto reglslmr wnh flues therein, which flues pass throughsaid tank, one of 2 an gf i q s z h which flues terminate exteriorly ofsaid insulation a Se mg gas m Sal gate Surmun mg l e 'acket the otherends of said flues terminatin within transverse openmg formed therem icohfines of the s ace between Said insulatioi .acket 3. rollers mountedon opposite longitudinal sides of said and Said tanks p J gate tosupport said gate for reciprocating movement;

2 b d h h f n f d 4. a track on each longitudinal side of said hollowgate umers eac o Sal pro ucmg body on which said rollers are adapted toroll;

combustion within each of the respective flues, to 5' complementary endsof Said tracks being wedge produce dehydration of refuse and garbagewithin said Shaped; drymg tank; 6. a reciprocating operator attached tosaid gate and exb. a tank mounted below said drying tank for carbomzmgtending longitudinally outward through Said gate body refuse andgalbaflei to move said gate alon said trackl. hollow shafts jOUlllfllGdwithin said carbomzmg tank for 7. said rollers adapted 0 move off saidwedge-shaped arcuate movement; ends of said tracks when said gate is inone position, to 2. perforate arms secured to each said hollow shaft andposition said gate in sealing relation with said gasket being in fluidcommunication therewith; around said opening; and 3. a stuffing boxsurrounding each hollow shaft and formb. clamping means on saidelongated hollow body of said ing a seal therefor near the lower end ofsaid tank, with gate to move said gate into sealing engagement with saidthe hollow shaft extending outward therebelow; gasket when said clampingmeans is in one position, and 4. operator means associated with eachsaid hollow shaft to release Said gate for re iprocation thereof Withinthe for moving each said shaft arcuately; llOllOW portion of said gatebody when said clamping a rotary fl id Sealon h lower d f id h ft; meansis in another position to enable said gate to be d. an air conduitconnected with said rotary fluid seal of moved p a y and longitudinallyaway from the p each said hollow shaft for directing air under pressuremg to Perm1t Passage of refuse and garbage through therethrough and intosaid carbonizing tank; c. said lowennost tank being a burning tank;

opening. 16. An apparatus for reduction of combustible refuse andgarbage to ash by thermolytic destructive distillation in a closedsystem as defined in claim 15; wherein said clamping means is a cam.

l. means for directing air under pressure into said burning tank whensaid tank is closed, in a metered amount to produce controlledcombustion of refuse and garbage 5 to reduce said refuse and garbage toash and vapor in a

2. closing the drying chamber to retain the refuse and garbage therein;2. providing a vapor outlet for directing vapor outward from thecarbonization chamber; k. supplying heat to the carbonization chamber tocarbonize the refuse and garbage therein;
 2. providing a vapor outletfoR directing vapor outward from the burning chamber; and
 2. A method ofreduction of combustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolyticdestructive distillation in a closed system, as defined in claim 1; andincluding supplying the drying chamber with additional heat from asecond source.
 2. a sealing gasket in said gate body and surrounding thetransverse opening formed therein;
 2. closure means operable todischarge ash from said burning tank; and f. said refuse and garbageadapted to be heat processed in each of said tanks simultaneously by theheat from said furnace and said flues and adapted to be progressivelydirected through the next lower closure upon introduction of additionalrefuse and garbage into said drying tank.
 2. perforate arms secured toeach said hollow shaft and being in fluid communication therewith; 2.burners associated with each of said flues for producing combustionwithin each of the respective flues, to produce dehydration of refuseand garbage within said drying tank; b. a tank mounted below said dryingtank for carbonizing refuse and garbage;
 2. said motor-driven rotaryloader being adapted to rotate through an arc to sequentially move oneof the receptacles thereof from a loading position to the dischargeposition; and
 2. closure means operable to discharge ash from saidburning tank.
 2. a stuffing box surrounding each said hollow shaft andforming a seal therefor near the lower end of said tank, with saidhollow shaft to extend outward therebelow;
 2. said power means connectedin driving relation with said agitator; f. a loader being incommunication with the uppermost tank;
 2. closure means intermediateadjacent tanks for selectively isolating material in each tank; d. aninsulation jacket surrounding and covering the tanks and being a spaceddistance outward therefrom to form a passage between said tanks and theinsulation jacket;
 2. supplying a source of water to the heat exchangetank to pass around the piping system in heat exchange relation; b.connecting the vent stack in fluid communication with the piping systemin the heat exchange tank so as to condense the vapor passingtherethrough; and c. directing heated water from the condenser tank. 2.directing vapor therefrom into a furnace for burning and to nullify atleast some of the odors of the odoriferous vapor.
 3. operator meansassociated with each said shaft for moving said shaft arcuately; c. arotary fluid seal on the lower end of said shaft; and d. an air conduitconnected with said rotary seal of each said hollow shaft for directingair under pressure therethrough and into said carbonizing tank.
 3. astuffing box surrounding each hollow shaft and forming a seal therefornear the lower end of said tank, with the hollow shaft extending outwardtherebelow;
 3. mechanically actuated discharge means to move said refuseand garbage from the receptacLe of said loader into the uppermost ofsaid tanks. 43
 3. rollers mounted on opposite longitudinal sides of saidgate to support said gate for reciprocating movement;
 3. A method ofreduction of combustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolyticdestructive distillation in a closed system, as defined in claim 2; andincluding the steps of: a. providing flues in the drying chamber; and b.creating combustion within the flues of the drying chamber to supply theadditional heat to the drying chamber.
 3. discharging ash of thecombustible refuse and garbage from the burning chamber.
 3. providing avapor outlet for directing vapor outward from the drying chamber; h.forming an insulation jacket to surround and cover the chambers andbeing a spaced distance outward therefrom for passage of heat upwardlybetween the chambers and the insulation jacket;
 4. A method of reductionof combustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolytic destructivedistillation in a closed system as defined in claim 1; and including thevapor from the chambers is directed to a burner in the furnace toprovide fuel for combustion to supply the source of heat.
 4. a track oneach longitudinal side of said hollow gate body on which said rollersare adapted to roll;
 4. operator means associated with each said hollowshaft for moving each said shaft arcuately; c. a rotary fluid seal onthe lower end of said shaft; d. an air conduit connected with saidrotary fluid seal of each said hollow shaft for directing air underpressure therethrough and into said carbonizing tank; e. said lowermosttank being a burning tank;
 5. complementary ends of said tracks beingwedge shaped;
 5. A method of reduction of combustible refuse and garbageto ash by thermolytic destructive distillation in a closed system asdefined in claim 4; and including directing the products of combustionupward in conduction relation around the burning chamber, thecarbonization chamber and drying chamber.
 6. a reciprocating operatorattached to said gate and extending longitudinally outward through saidgate body to move said gate along said track;
 6. A method of reductionof combustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolytic destructivedistillation in a closed system as defined in claim 1; and including theadditional step of introducing air under pressure into the burningchamber of a closed system to supply oxygen in a metered amount tomaintain controlled combustion at a predetermined heat for apredetermined length of time.
 7. said rollers adapted to move off saidwedge-shaped ends of said tracks when said gate is in one position, toposition said gate in sealing relation with said gasket around saidopening; and b. clamping means on said elongated hollow body of saidgate to move said gate into sealing engagement with said gasket whensaid clamping means is in one position, and to release said gate forreciprocation thereof within the hollow portion of said gate body whensaid clamping means is in another position to enable said gate to bemoved upwardly and longitudinally away from the opening to permitpassage of refuse and garbage through the opening.
 7. A method ofreduction of combustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolyticdestructive distillation in a closed system, as defined in claim 1; andincluding the additional steps of: a. providing a condenser whichconnects with the vapor outlet of at least one of the chambers; b.providing a scrubber for directing odoriferous vapor and condensatethereinto; c. providing a further condenser; d. directing the vapor fromthe scrubber into the further condenser;
 8. A method of reduction ofcombustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolytic destructivedistillation in a closed system, as defined in claim 7; and includingthe additional steps of: a. providing a heat exchange tank;
 9. Anapparatus for reduction of combustible refuse and garbage to ash bythermolytic destructive distillation in a closed system which apparatuscomprises: a. a support for upright structural members; b. uprightstructural members mounted on said support; c. a plurality of tanksmounted on said structural members and arranged at different elevations,one above another;
 10. An apparatus for reduction of combustible refuseand garbage to ash by thermolytic destructive distillation in a closedsystem, as defined in claim 9; wherein a. the uppermost of said tankshas flues passing therethrough, one end of which flues terminatesexteriorly of said insulation jacket, the other ends of which fluesterminate within the confines of the space between said insulationjacket and said tanks; and b. burners associated with each of said fluesfor producing combustion within the respective flues, to producedehydration of refuse and garbage within said uppermost tank.
 11. Anapparatus for reduction of combustible refuse and garbage to ash bythermolytic destructive distillation in a closed system, as defined inclaim 9; wherein a. a tank is mounted on said upright structural membersand is supported thereby below said uppermost tank and forming acarbonization tank; b. hollow shafts are journaled within saidcarbonization tank for arcuate movement;
 12. An apparatus for reductionof combustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolytic destructivedistillation in a closed system; as defined in claim 9; wherein saidlowermost tank is a burning tank;
 13. An apparatus for reduction ofcombustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolytic destructivedistillation in a closed system as defined in claim 9; wherein saidloader, which is in communication with said uppermost tank, is amotor-driven, rotary loader;
 14. An apparatus for reduction ofcombustible refuse and garbage to ash by a thermolytic destructivedistillation in a closed system, as defined in claim 9; wherein: a. saidtanks supported on said structural members comprise three tanks;
 15. Anapparatus for reduction of combustible refuse and garage to ash bythermolytic destructive distillation in a closed system, as defined inclaim 9; wherein: a. at least some of said closure members in said tanksare sliding gates comprising;
 16. An apparatus for reduction ofcombustible refuse and garbage to ash by thermolytic destructivedistillation in a closed System as defined in claim 15; wherein saidclamping means is a cam.